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Strange question?

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Seb1010
New Contributor

Strange question?

Hello, 

 

I have been working on my credit for a few years now and unbeknownst to me, my Mom added me to her Macys & Sams credit cards.  She ended up getting me cards and they are paid on time, zero late payments & I believe the accounts have been open for about 3 years now.  

My question is:  My Mom passed away last year.  What now happens to these accounts?  I have still been using them, still no late payents or anything, is the account still eligible for a credit limit increase?  Since the primary on the account is now deceased, will they close the accounts?  I have been working hard on my credit and one thing that they say hurts me is that my credit LIMITS arent high.  On these particular cards the limits are $400 on Sams & $650 on the Macys card.  Should I call and request increases or will that then begin the domino effect of them closing the cards?

Thanks so much!

Message 1 of 14
13 REPLIES 13
Seb1010
New Contributor

Re: Strange question?

Bueller?

Message 2 of 14
Shogun
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Strange question?

Hello.

 

If your mother was the primary cardholder and you were an AU, the accounts should have been closed.  But need to know, where you joint owner or just an AU?

Starting Score: 504
July 2013 score:
EQ FICO 819, TU08 778, EX "806 lender pull 07/26/2013
Goal Score: All Scores 760+, Newest goal 800+
Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge

Current scores after adding $81K in CLs and 2 new cars since July 2013
EQ:809 TU 777 EX 790 Now it's just garden time!

June 2017 update: All scores over 820, just pure gardening now.
Message 3 of 14
Seb1010
New Contributor

Re: Strange question?

I honestly dont have any idea Smiley Sad  How do I determine that?

Message 4 of 14
Seb1010
New Contributor

Re: Strange question?

I also just paid $62 to the myfico? to see my credit reports, I could only see one and was able to see the score of another one by using the score simulator but I cant figure out where to go to view all three reports.  the two I saw were Equifax 618 & Transunion 629 Smiley Sad

All my credit cards and auto loans show paid on time, the only report I saw was EQ and it showed 4 medical collections, all of which were paid in full recently but are still showing a balance.  Will paying those off increase my score at all?

Message 5 of 14
Seb1010
New Contributor

Re: Strange question?

*My Mom passed away in March of last year and neither of the accounts were closed nor were they effected at all.  I believe she only added me as an authorized user but they do report to all 3 credit bureaus.

Message 6 of 14
Shogun
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Strange question?

This falls under a "legal" issue and I'm not sure of the remedy.  I know that sometimes you can assume the account and continue on with it, but that would be up to you and the CC company.  Different states have different laws that would come into play here, and that would require proffessional legal advise.

 

I wouldn't use the card anymore, because it could be considered fraud since she has deceased.  Do you have a balance on this card?

Starting Score: 504
July 2013 score:
EQ FICO 819, TU08 778, EX "806 lender pull 07/26/2013
Goal Score: All Scores 760+, Newest goal 800+
Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge

Current scores after adding $81K in CLs and 2 new cars since July 2013
EQ:809 TU 777 EX 790 Now it's just garden time!

June 2017 update: All scores over 820, just pure gardening now.
Message 7 of 14
Shogun
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Strange question?


@Seb1010 wrote:

I also just paid $62 to the myfico? to see my credit reports, I could only see one and was able to see the score of another one by using the score simulator but I cant figure out where to go to view all three reports.  the two I saw were Equifax 618 & Transunion 629 Smiley Sad

All my credit cards and auto loans show paid on time, the only report I saw was EQ and it showed 4 medical collections, all of which were paid in full recently but are still showing a balance.  Will paying those off increase my score at all?


Actually, NO.  A paid collection is the scored the same as an unpaid, but it will look better under a manual review.  Since they are paid, I'd send a GW letter and ask if they will remove them.

Starting Score: 504
July 2013 score:
EQ FICO 819, TU08 778, EX "806 lender pull 07/26/2013
Goal Score: All Scores 760+, Newest goal 800+
Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge

Current scores after adding $81K in CLs and 2 new cars since July 2013
EQ:809 TU 777 EX 790 Now it's just garden time!

June 2017 update: All scores over 820, just pure gardening now.
Message 8 of 14
Seb1010
New Contributor

Re: Strange question?

(Sorry, I cant figure out how to quote posts here yet)

 

I do have a balance on the Macys card...approx. $50.  The Sams card has a zero balance.  If I was authorized to use the card, how is it fraud?? Smiley Surprised

Message 9 of 14
Leadberry
Established Contributor

Re: Strange question?

You are allowed to use those accounts under the primary cardholder's authority.  If the primary cardholder is deceased, she no longer has any authority.

   
FICO Scores 800+
Message 10 of 14
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